England World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign

I think it was good to see Southgate remaining upbeat despite the loss - and we should get three points on Sunday with no problems As far as once we have qualified, surely then the onus is on the FA to seek assurances from the Russian FA about safety for both players and fans for the tournament itself next year? I have to say it was not pleasant to see fans attacked at Euro 2016 and the message from Russian football seems to be that we can expect more of the same even the BBC were possibly targeted if it was a veiled or direct threat.

What do you guys think should happen if safety cannot be guaranteed?

I like the fact that England Rugby Union head coach Eddie Jones has visited the England squad and support network and spoken to them all.
An alternative outside perspective from a different sport I think is a positive thing. By all accounts Ryan Bertrand in particular took a lot from it. Any chance to learn from different sports is for me a positive.

(24-03-2017 07:03 )babelover48 Wrote:  What do you guys think should happen if safety cannot be guaranteed?

Boycott the tournament.

Job done tonight, it was always virtually certain that England would win the game, would have liked to see more goals but we look a threat with Rashford and Vardy's pace. Defoe's still got the eye for goal so definitely worth a place in the squad next summer.

Def job done when do you think we'll have the group sewn up?

(24-03-2017 07:03 )babelover48 Wrote:  What do you guys think should happen if safety cannot be guaranteed?

Get your own fans in check before you worry about others...

I'd say it pretty much is sewn up already, but avoid defeat against Scotland (away) and win against Malta (away) and qualification should be assured with a couple of games to spare.

Slovenia are second in the group and if they drop points against Scotland tonight it would do us even more favours. There's nothing to fear in this group if England's qualification record and form is any indication.

Job done but I think we are a very average team. Against Germany who were fielding a much weakened team, we didn't look like getting back into the game once they scored and against Lithuania who playing for damage limitation we didn't exactly create a hatful of chances. Never mind it won't be a problem till the world cup finals

Exactly right setter, the problem isn't and has never really been in recent campaigns getting the results to qualify. The test comes again when we qualify and then play better teams in the finals.

Complacency has been a factor in my eyes in recent tournaments because we don't really get tested in the qualification, then the players don't live up to expectations when it matters.

I'm excited about the pace and threat we have at the moment though. There's plenty of young players and also some experienced heads who can get us goals. They just need to show it when we get there again don't they?

Scotland lead Slovenia 1-0 which slightly changes the dynamic in the rest of the group.

(26-03-2017 21:35 )snookered147 Wrote:  Scotland lead Slovenia 1-0 which slightly changes the dynamic in the rest of the group.

Yes, so as I said if Slovenia dropped points tonight, that puts us even closer to Russia. Based on our qualification record and form, all the remaining games for England are winnable matches, there should be nothing to fear.